Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021

Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021

 

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Felton Road
Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : New Zealand
  • Region : Central Otago
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021 is a beautifully crafted wine, balancing elegance and complexity with bright acidity and a detailed, saline finish. It offers layers of vibrant fruit and floral notes, framed by meticulous winemaking.

Experts Score Vintage
DCT Decanter 93 2021
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 93 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago, where Felton Road is located, is renowned for producing cool-climate wines of great finesse. Chardonnay for this wine is primarily sourced from the Elms vineyard, specifically from Blocks 2, 6, 8, and 9, with around 10% coming from Cornish Point vineyard. The vineyards are characterized by their deep schist gravel soils and diverse altitudes, which contribute to the complexity and minerality of the wine.

Felton Road practices organic and biodynamic viticulture, certified by BioGro and Demeter, ensuring the health of the vines and the environment. Hand-harvesting, shoot thinning, leaf plucking, and bunch thinning are all carefully managed to guarantee the best possible fruit quality. Additionally, cover crops are planted between the rows to enhance vine balance and soil biodiversity.

Winemaking

The 2021 vintage experienced moderate winter rainfall, followed by uneven flowering and significant rainfall during cell division, resulting in larger berries and balanced ripening. The Chardonnay harvest took place from March 23 to April 4.

Grapes from various clones (Mendoza, B95, B548) were carefully hand-harvested and then whole-bunch pressed, allowing the juice to flow naturally into barrels by gravity after an overnight settling period. Fermentation occurred in French oak barrels, mostly seasoned with just 5% new oak, using indigenous yeasts to develop a complex flavor profile. The wine underwent a complete indigenous malolactic fermentation with periodic lees stirring (batonnage), which contributed to its rich texture and complexity. After 13 months of aging in barrels, the wine was bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its purity and integrity.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: A pale, golden straw hue.
  • Aroma: The nose is immediately inviting with aromas of brioche, almond, and peach, underscored by vibrant citrus and subtle white florals.
  • Palate: On the palate, the wine is multi-dimensional, offering layers of texture and flavor. Despite its richness, the wine remains precise and linear, driven by bright acidity that gives it a fresh, focused finish. The saline and mineral quality on the finish adds to its elegance and complexity.

Did you know?

Felton Road’s commitment to biodynamic farming and non-interventionist winemaking is key to their philosophy. The Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021 reflects the vineyard’s unique terroir, allowing each vintage to be a true representation of the vineyard's characteristics without manipulation.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled lobster with lemon butter: The richness of the lobster complements the wine’s creamy texture, while the bright acidity cuts through the buttery sauce.
  • Roast chicken with thyme and garlic: The herbaceous and savory notes of the dish pair beautifully with the wine’s almond and brioche flavors.
  • Seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc: The wine’s citrus notes and saline finish perfectly enhance the sweet, delicate flavor of scallops.
  • Aged Gouda: The nutty and caramelized flavors of aged Gouda are a perfect match for the wine’s creamy mouthfeel and almond notes.

History of Felton Road Estate

Felton Road was established in 1991, with the first vines planted by Stewart Elms, a local viticulture pioneer. The estate was founded on the belief that the unique soils and climate of Central Otago were perfectly suited for producing wines of distinction, particularly Pinot Noir. In 2000, the estate was purchased by Nigel Greening, a passionate wine lover from England, who has been instrumental in shaping Felton Road’s vision and commitment to sustainability.

From the outset, Felton Road’s winemaking philosophy has been based on minimal intervention and respect for the land. Blair Walter, the estate’s winemaker since 1996, has played a crucial role in the estate’s rise to prominence. Walter’s approach emphasizes purity of fruit, and under his leadership, Felton Road has become known for its wines that express the authenticity and complexity of the vineyards.

A significant milestone in the estate’s history came in 2002, when Felton Road fully converted to biodynamic farming, becoming certified by BioGro and Demeter. This shift to biodynamic practices has allowed the estate to improve soil health and vine vitality, resulting in wines that more accurately reflect their terroir.

Region and Vineyards

Felton Road is located in Central Otago, the southernmost wine region in the world, known for its cool climate and ability to produce exceptional Pinot Noir. The estate is specifically in the Bannockburn sub-region, which is characterized by a continental climate—warm summers, cold winters, and significant diurnal temperature variations. These conditions help retain the natural acidity of the grapes while allowing them to ripen fully, resulting in wines that are both vibrant and complex.

Felton Road farms four estate vineyards, covering 34 hectares in total. Each vineyard is meticulously managed to allow the unique characteristics of the site to shine through in the wines:

  • The Elms Vineyard: This is the home of Felton Road and contains the iconic Block 3 and Block 5 sites. Situated on gentle north-facing slopes, The Elms Vineyard has deep silt soils with calcareous seams, contributing to the distinctive minerality and structure found in these wines. Block 3 wines are known for their elegance, while Block 5 produces more powerful, structured wines.

  • Cornish Point Vineyard: Located close to a body of water, this vineyard benefits from a unique mesoclimate, which moderates temperature extremes. The result is a vineyard that produces fruit with intense concentration and ripe tannins, which are evident in Felton Road’s Cornish Point Pinot Noir.

  • Calvert Vineyard: Known for producing wines with fine tannins and floral characteristics, the Calvert Vineyard has deep, fertile silt soils and is located just 1 km from The Elms. The vineyard is also part of a collaboration between Felton Road, Carrick, and Pisa Range Estate, with each producer crafting a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Calvert’s fruit.

  • MacMuir Vineyard: The newest addition to Felton Road’s portfolio, this vineyard brings additional complexity and diversity to the estate’s wines.

Biodynamic Viticulture

Felton Road’s commitment to biodynamic farming has been fundamental to its success. Certified by BioGro and Demeter, the estate avoids synthetic chemicals and instead uses natural preparations to enhance vine health and promote biodiversity. Techniques such as cover cropping and composting are used to maintain soil fertility, while all vineyard tasks, including hand-harvesting, shoot thinning, and leaf plucking, are performed with meticulous care to ensure the highest quality fruit.

Terroir and Soils

The diversity of soil types across the vineyards plays a critical role in defining the style of Felton Road’s wines. The silt and loess soils of The Elms and Calvert vineyards provide excellent drainage and impart a distinctive mineral character to the wines. In contrast, the schist and gravel soils of Cornish Point contribute to the boldness and concentration of the fruit. This combination of soil diversity and ideal growing conditions allows Felton Road to produce wines that are both expressive and age-worthy.

Wine Range

Felton Road produces a focused range of wines, specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. All the wines are estate-grown, and the winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention to let the vineyard’s unique characteristics shine through.

  • Pinot Noir: Felton Road’s Pinot Noir wines are among the most acclaimed in New Zealand. The estate produces several single-vineyard expressions, including the highly sought-after Block 3, Block 5, Calvert, and Cornish Point Pinot Noirs. These wines are known for their balance of power and finesse, as well as their ability to age gracefully.

  • Chardonnay: Felton Road’s Chardonnay is also highly regarded, particularly the Block 2 Chardonnay, which showcases the minerality and purity of fruit that the estate’s cool-climate vineyards can achieve.

  • Riesling: The estate produces both dry and sweet Rieslings, which are known for their precision and vibrant acidity. These wines have garnered a reputation for their ability to express the purity of Central Otago’s cool-climate terroir.

Did You Know?

Felton Road is part of the Grand Cru Alliance, a prestigious group of biodynamic wineries that includes some of the most respected estates from Burgundy and other top regions around the world. This alliance underscores Felton Road’s standing as one of the leading biodynamic wineries globally.

Decanter (DCT) : 93 Points (2021)
Made from Cornish Point and Elms fruit. A distant touch of toasted hazelnut is gentle on the nose. Lemon and notes of polenta appear later. The palate seems lithe despite its alcoholic heft of 14%, there seems to be a wonderful translucency that speaks of brilliant sunshine and brisk coolness. Texturally this reveals a light touch and masterful use of oak that allows lemon above all to shine through. Just 5% of oak was new - how beautiful.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 93 Points (2021)
A creamy and polished wine with green apples and lime with stone aromas and flavors. Medium body. Pretty balance of fruit and acidity. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road
Block 5 Pinot Noir 2021
WS
94
RP
95
DCT
97
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir is a superb expression of Central Otago terroir, showcasing finesse, balance, and a long, elegant finish. It reflects the region’s cool climate, with impeccable precision and depth.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road
Calvert Pinot Noir 2020
RP
95
JR
90
VN
94
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020 amplifies the signature floral and fruit notes of the Calvert site, crafted with the estate’s hallmark minimal intervention approach to highlight the purity of the terroir.
72,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019
Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019
Felton Road
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019
WS
94
RP
92
WE
92
Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019 is a striking example of Central Otago’s renowned Pinot Noirs, with a level of complexity that exceeds its village-level designation. The 2019 vintage blends fruit from four of Felton Road’s top vineyards, delivering a wine of remarkable poise and depth.
64,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road
Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021
WS
96
RP
96
DCT
97
The Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021 is a powerful and complex single-vineyard wine, delivering a unique expression of the Block 3 site in Central Otago. Its blend of wild herbs, spice, and deep fruit flavors makes it a standout among Felton Road’s Pinot Noirs.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road
Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020
RP
93
JR
88
VN
93
The Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020 is a concentrated and brooding expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir, marked by rich fruit and complex spice notes. This wine demonstrates the unique character of the Cornish Point vineyard, offering depth and elegance.
77,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2019
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2019
Felton Road
Block 2 Chardonnay 2019
RP
93
JS
94
WS
92
Crafted from old vines in Block 2, this Felton Road Chardonnay stands out for its minerality and vibrant acidity, offering a pure and focused expression of Central Otago’s schist soils.
64,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2018
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2018
Felton Road
Block 6 Chardonnay 2018
RP
94
WS
92
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2018 is an elegant and bold expression of the Bannockburn terroir, where ripeness and complexity converge in a wine of power and finesse.
61,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2019
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2019
Felton Road
Calvert Pinot Noir 2019
WS
92
WE
93
DCT
96
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2019 is a wine of remarkable finesse and precision, offering a seamless expression of Central Otago’s renowned terroir.
78,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road
Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022
RP
95
BC
97
JS
97
Crafted with biodynamic precision, the Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022 is a reflection of Felton Road’s commitment to producing wines of exceptional purity and depth.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
Felton Road
Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
RP
94
The Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2022 is a refined and site-expressive wine that showcases the elegance of Central Otago’s Bannockburn terroir, with meticulous craftsmanship and biodynamic principles at its core.
64,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road
MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022
RP
94
DCT
95
JS
95
As the second-ever release from this single vineyard, the MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022 exemplifies Felton Road’s commitment to expressing the nuances of its terroir through meticulous viticulture and non-interventionist winemaking.
86,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road
Block 6 Chardonnay 2021
RP
94
DCT
94
JS
96
Crafted from the Block 6 vineyard, this Chardonnay reflects the unique growing conditions of its higher altitude, delivering a sophisticated and precise wine.
61,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
49,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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